HBBA Executive 2008/2009

Below, you will find the Comox Valley Home Based Business Association Executive for the 2008/2009 term. Each of our Executive members are dedicated to the HBBA and to their own home based businesses.

Keith Oslund, President

Keith comes to the CVHBBA with a wealth of experience and training to help facilitate the growth and development of individuals and organizations with his business, Touchstone Coaching and Counselling, using neuro-linguistic programming techniques. Keith is a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Master Trainer, Professional Development Coach and has over 20 years of experience in training individuals that want to be at the top and stay there. This includes sports, sales, management, health care professionals and teachers.

It doesn't end there! Keith has a varied background which has helped him develop a unique, powerful public presentation style that gets results. He gets a huge thrill when clients and students are able to improve their life and develop a strong independent attitude that has successful outcomes for the long-term.

Keith's varied background includes: 5th degree black belt Tae-Kwon Do Master Instructor (training/coaching Canadian National TKD team for the Olympics), certified therapeutic massage, TV and radio broadcasting, life management skills leader trainer, fitness and nutrition, adult psychology, adult educator, personal fitness trainer, Chan international professional actor (movies and stage), talent management, D.J., first-aid/CPR instructor.

Wow!

Keith Oslund
Touchstone Coaching and Counselling
361 Urquhart Ave.
Courtenay, BC
V9N 3K2
(250) 338-0719
Email: touchstonecc@shaw.ca

Sue Troughton, Vice President

Sue Troughton has recently moved to the Comox Valley bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the health and wellness sector. Her background of 21 years of teaching and coaching in schools has enhanced,enriched and supported her focus on health and wellness. Her business practice, ENSEMBLE WELLNESS SERVICES, offers personal professional counselling, yoga therapy, ”funky-fitness” classes, weight training for women only and the ancient healing art of foot reflexology. The true essence of mind, body to sole healing. Sue is a nationally certified practioner, teacher and examiner for the Reflexology Association of Canada.

Carol Elliott, Past President

In 2002 Carol and husband Edd, I moved to the Comox Valley where her hobby became her job. She became a full-time artist and Edd started doing substitute teaching in the local schools. So, you may rightly ask what happened that they thought about baking doggie treats.

A BIG factor in their decision to start this type of bakery was the list of ingredients in commercial pet treats. They have four little 12pound wonders – a terrier named Spike, a bichon frise/shih tzu named Rocky, a calico cat named Stinky, and a chocolate brown cat with a white bib and white toes named Foxxy.

Carol and Edd decided that their four-legged friends deserved to have treats – but awesome treats that were good for them! And so they started baking!

They create all of their own recipes using only human grade ingredients and old fashioned good home cooking – done by hand, with care. In addition, the simple, high quality, ingredients are all purchased right here on Vancouver Island. Their products are available at the finer pet food stores on Vancouver Island, including five outlets in the Comox Valley. They are also registered vendors at the farmers’ market each Saturday in Courtenay. You are welcome to contact them if you would like more information or to pass on your opinions about their treats:

Pet Treat Bakery
(250) 702-1086
6381 River Avenue S. Merville
Courtenay, BC V9J 1N5 Canada
pettreatbakery@telus.net

Please note they do not sell their products at this address, nor are they able to offer a mail-order service at this time. They do encourage you to contact one of their suppliers direct to buy their natural, wholesome treats.

Coree Reddin, Treasurer

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Dana Hook, Secretary

Jane Neve, Marketing Director

Jane’s lifelong dream of living in the Comox Valley was realized when she and her partner Dave bought almost 3 acres in Black Creek. The dream has always been to open a dog training facility to teach people how to speak dog. Canine Conduct Training Solutions is more than just dog obedience - it is about opening the lines of communication between dogs and their people to create a positive relationship.

As with most dog trainers, Jane Neve has been involved with dogs her whole life. Jane began formal training as an assistant instructor in 1981 but found the "traditional" methods disheartening.

While running a municipal animal shelter for eight years and a humane society for two years, Jane immersed herself in the study of dog behaviour by attending talks, workshops and seminars searching for and finding a positive approach to training.

During the lead up to Canine Conduct's inception in 1993, Jane's search for positive motivational trainers introduced her to the likes of Suzanne Clothier, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Karen Pryor, Jean Donaldson, Turid Rugaas and many others. It is from these influences that Canine Conduct was born and continues to flourish.

Jane's goal is to share with other dog lovers and owners her skills of training in a compassionate, respectful, fair, and above all, fun way.

Since February 2007, the first Thursday of every month is one of Jane’s favourite calendar entries as that is when the HBBA members get together to chat, network and learn.

Jane Neve – Trainer
Canine Conduct Training Solutions
“Teaching the Human End of the Leash”
www.canineconduct.ca 250-898-3173

Linda Magnuson, Membership Director

Linda Magnuson is the owner and host of Kairos Guest Suite and keeper of The Labyrinth at Kairos.

Linda grew up in Saskatchewan, moved to Calgary in 1963, and to Comox in 2003. When her experience in new homes sales, office administration, and group insurance failed to result in employment in the Comox Valley, she decided to open a bed and breakfast. In July 2004, she opened Kairos Guest Suite, and joined the CVHBBA the same year.

Kairos Guest Suite is a self-catered B&B that offers a quiet, peaceful, private getaway. Open year-round, it's the perfect home base for an alpine or ocean holiday, or for people relocating to the Comox Valley.

In 2007, The Labyrinth at Kairos was officially dedicated. It is now open to the public for individual and group walks and as a venue for celebrating special occasions.

In addition to her Kairos activites, Linda is the Vancouver Island representative for The Original Children's Checklist, an interactive matching game for children, created by one of her daughters. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Island Centre for Positive Living.

'Every moment holds the possibility of everything' is a concept Linda incorporates into her life. Always exploring opportunities and possibilities, she supports others in doing the same. A growing number of home-based business people are playing a role in the economy of the Comox Valley and she invites them to join the CVHBBA to share their journey with like-minded entrepreneurs in this supportive organization.

Juliette Schlachter, Newsletter Editor

Jessie Randall, Program Director

Jessie Randall is an independent consultant with Arbonne International. She spent the last 10 years working as an Agricultural Sales Account Manager in Alberta, until she fell in love with the amazing herbal, botanical, certified vegan products from Arbonne. Arbonne offers premium skin care, aromatherapy, weight loss, cosmetics and nutritional products! Since discovering a business that has allowed her to be home with her son, help others achieve their dreams and the flexibility to focus on what is truly important in life, she has no intention of ever going back to corporate America! A ‘newbie’ to the island, Jessie’ along with her young son, have only lived in the Comox Valley since January 2007 and it is the best move she has ever made! The Comox Valley is one of the most beautiful places on earth and there are so many wonderful people here. She is very blessed!

Involvement in the community is key in Jessie’s life. She is actively involved with the elementary school, organized sport and the Soroptimists. Arbonne is also very involved with helping others and making this world a better place. Their latest initiative is partnering with an organization called ShelterNet, which is dedicated to helping women and children leave abusive situations. Jessie is so proud to be apart of such a forward thinking company that truly wants to change the lives of people across the globe.

The CVHBBA was the first organization that Jessie joined since arriving in the valley. Becoming the program director is such a privilege! She is dedicated to helping the membership with workshops to improve skills and find new ideas for their businesses; as well as promoting the businesses in the membership with our spotlight speaker program every month! The HBBA is a phenomenal group of people. If you own your own home based business, you want to be a part of this group! Jessie can’t say enough great things about the HBBA…it has helped her personally as a business owner as well as increase the visibility of her business in the Comox Valley!!!

Jessie Randall
250-336-8510
www.jessierandall.myarbonne.com

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” ~Winston Churchill

Kay McMullen, Public Relations

Mark Erickson, Website Director

Mark Erickson was born in Germany, while his dad was serving in the Canadian Forces. He eventually moved to the Comox Valley when he was four where he was raised and educated. He had high hopes in the field of optometry and pursued it by attending the University of Victoria. Instead of continuing in optometry, which required only two years at U.Vic and many more in Ontario, he graduated from U.Vic in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Neuropsychology.

In the same year, he married his university sweetheart, Kathy, and began blue-collar work with a medical lab company, based in Victoria, in hopes of advancing to work in his field. Instead, a few years later, he had the opportunity to move back to the valley within the same company. In 1998, Mark joined the CVHBBA when it first began, with the idea of turning a hobby into a business.

He has dabbled in computer programming since 1980 and thus was interested in starting a software development company, called Norse Code Technologies, in 1999. He added other functions to his repertoire to keep busy, such as compiling music from vinyl records and tapes on CDs. In 2002, he began providing web development and marketing, all the while still working his day job.

Early in 2006, the day job was eliminated and Mark decided to dedicate his energies to his company full-time. Since then, he has experienced more growth. Since the beginning, Mark has always wanted to see the CVHBBA grow to about 500 members and have it be a significant driving force in the valley's business community. Mark advises everyone to embrace technology, not fear it, for it is a powerful tool in the way we do business and the way we keep connected to everyone important to us. This is his third consecutive term as Website Director.